Golf Ball Marker Clip Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A golf ball marker clip apparatus includes a golf ball marker, a base, and a clip formed to the base and configured to snappedly receive the golf ball marker. The clip bounds and defines a hold corresponding to the golf ball marker.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf, and more particularlyto golf ball markers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers use golf ball markers when they remove their ball from theground and wish to mark the spot from which they removed the ball. Golfball markers come in a variety of designs, but are frequently smalldiscs, roughly the size of a quarter, that can be carried fairly easilywith the golfer.

Because of their small size, golf ball markers can easily be lost. Theymay get lost in pockets, in a golf bag, in or from the golf cart, and inother places. As a result, a variety of solutions have been developed tohelp the golfer from being separated from the golf ball marker. Forinstance, some golf ball markers are clips: they have a circular ordisc-like face with a clip on the back. This allows the marker to beclipped onto the brim of a hat, onto a glove, onto a golfer's pantspocket, and in other locations. Other markers are magnetic: they have amagnet on the back which allows them to be magnetically engaged to acomplemental base. The base is mounted to something larger or fixed,such as a hat, a glove, a divot repair tool, or some other similarapparatus.

Despite these developments, ball markers are still susceptible to beinglost. An improved golf ball marker retention solution is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf ball marker clip apparatus includes a golf ball marker, a base,and a clip formed to the base and configured to snappedly receive thegolf ball marker. The clip bounds and defines a hold corresponding tothe golf ball marker. The clip is a quasi-annular upstanding lip thatsnappedly receives and holds the golf ball marker so that the golfer caneasily hold and carry the marker without fear of loss. The clip can besewn in between two layers of a glove, mounted to a club, or fixed toanother mounting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a golf ball marker being applied toa golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the golf ball marker of FIG. 1Aapplied to the golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are section views taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1Bshowing the golf ball marker of FIG. 1A being applied to the golf ballmarker clip apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective illustrating the golf ball marker clipapparatus carried in a glove, applied with a golf ball marker;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a golf ball marker being applied toa golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the golf ball marker of FIG. 4Aapplied to the golf ball marker clip apparatus;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are section views taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4Bshowing the golf ball marker of FIG. 4A being applied to the golf ballmarker clip apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a golf ball marker being applied toa golf ball marker clip apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same referencecharacters are used throughout the different figures to designate thesame elements. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a golf ball marker 10(hereinafter, the “marker 10”) being applied to a golf ball marker clipapparatus 11 (hereinafter, the “apparatus 11”). The apparatus 11 isuseful for securely and snappedly retaining the marker 10 in a varietyof locations, such as on a glove, a golf club, a hat, a shirt, a pair ofpants, a divot repair tool, and elsewhere.

The apparatus 11 includes a base 12, a flange 13 extending outward fromthe base 12, and a clip 15 formed by an upstanding lip 14 extendingupward from the base 12. These structural features and elements providethe apparatus 11 with the unique ability to mechanically receive andhold the marker 10 and to be sewn into, glued onto, or otherwiseattached to a mounting. In some embodiments, such as when the apparatus11 is used with a golf club, the divot repair tool, and other rigiditems, the flange 13 may be excluded from use and the base 12 is adheredor otherwise fixed directly to the rigid object.

The base 12 has a thin, flat profile, and is circular in shape. The base12 includes an upper face 20 and a lower face 21, each shown clearly inFIGS. 2A and 2B. The upper and lower faces 20 and 21 are flat andparallel with respect to each other. The upper and lower faces 20 and 21are spaced apart by a thickness A of the base 12, as indicated in FIG.2A. The base 12 is rigid and constructed of a material or combination ofmaterials having characteristics of rigidity, flexibility, and lightweight.

The flange 13 extends radially outward from the base 12. The flange 13is very thin and rigid. The flange 13 has an upper face 30 and a lowerface 31 which are flat and parallel with respect to each other. Theupper and lower faces 30 and 31 are also parallel with respect to eachof the upper and lower faces 20 and 21 of the base 12. The flange 13 isformed integrally and monolithically as a unitary extension of the base12, and it extends from the base 12 proximate to the upper face 20 ofthe base 12. Indeed, the upper face 20 of the base 12 is contiguous withthe upper face 30 of the flange 13, such that there is a smooth andimperceptible transition between the upper faces 20 and 30. As such, theupper face 30 of the flange 13 defines a planar extension of the upperface 20 of the base 12. The base 12 and the flange 13 cooperate todefine an annular shoulder 32 formed therebetween and defining aperimeter edge of the base 12 below the lower face 31 of the flange 13.

The lip 14 of the apparatus 11 is an annular, upstanding structureextending up from the upper face 20 of the base 12. The lip 14 is formedintegrally to the base 12 at its outer edge, where the flange 13 extendsoutwardly from the base 12. The lip 14 is quasi-annular, which in thiscontext means the lip 14 has an arc that is less than a complete circlebut more than a semi-circle. The lip 14 has this quasi-annular shapebetween two opposed ends 40 and 41. The ends 40 and 41 are terminal endsof the lip 14, and bound an opening 42 therebetween. The opening 42 is alateral opening leading to a hold 43 bound by the lip 14. Thequasi-annular lip 14 is disposed coaxially on the base 12, such that thelip 14 and the base 12 have aligned geometric centers.

The lip 14 has a bottom 44, which is formed directly, integrally, andresiliently to the base 12. The lip 14 has a top 45 opposed to thebottom 44. The lip 14 stands normal to the base 12. The lip 14 has aradially-inwardly extending edge 50 that overhangs the lip 14. The clip15 includes both the lip 14 and the enlarged, overhanging edge 50. Aninner surface 51 extends entirely from the bottom 44 to the edge 50. Theinner surface 51 terminates at the edge 50, and the edge 50 protrudesinwardly beyond the inner surface 51. Both the edge 50 and the innersurface 51 are quasi-annular and bound the hold 43.

The hold 43 itself is disc-shaped. It is bound by the inner surface 51of the lip 14, extends between the edge 50 and the upper surface 20 ofthe base 12, and extends in an arc outside the opening 42, as identifiedby an arcuate line identified with the reference character 52 in FIG.LA. The hold 43 corresponds to the marker 10: it is identical in shape,and very close in size. The hold 43 is just smaller than the marker 10.The marker 10 has a major dimension B, or a diameter B, and the hold 43has a diameter C which is just less than the diameter B. While the hold43 is open on top, the marker 10 is generally not meant to be appliedthrough the top because the edge 50 defines an opening too narrow forthe marker 10. However, the flexible characteristics of the lip 14 willaccommodate the marker 10 being forced downward into the hold 43, whichcauses the lip 14 to flare outward and then return resiliently to itsoriginal position once the marker 10 is captured in the hold 43. In thismanner, the lip 14 acts as a pawl for the marker 10 in the verticaldirection: it allows downward movement of the marker 10 into the hold 43but prevents upward movement of the mark 10 out of the hold 43.Nevertheless, the marker 10 is preferably applied through the lateralopening 42.

The lateral opening 42 is bound between the ends 40 and 41 of the lip 14and between the edge 50 and the upper face 20 of the base 12. Thelateral opening 42 has a width D between the ends 40 and 41 which isjust less than diameter B of the marker 10. Because the lip 14 isresiliently formed to the base 12, however, it resiliently deformsoutwardly but also maintains inward pressure to hold the marker 10 inplace.

The marker 10 can thus be applied through the lateral opening 42 to bemechanically, snappedly, and preferably non-magnetically received in thehold 43 by the clip 15. To apply the marker 10 to the hold 43, themarker 10 is picked up, such as between the thumb and forefinger, andregistered with the opening 42, as shown in FIG. 1A. It is initiallyheld in a free position, free of the apparatus 11. The marker 10 has anupper face 60 and a lower face 61 which are structurally identical,though not necessarily aesthetically identical: the upper and lowerfaces 60 and 61 may carry ornamental or decorative features whichdiffer. The lower face 61 of the marker 10 is aligned with the upperface 20 of the base 12, and the upper face 60 of the marker 10 isaligned with the bottom of the edge 50. The golfer then moves the marker10 through the opening 42 along the arrowed line E. When the marker 10encounters the ends 40 and 41, the golfer exerts more force to radiallydeform the ends 40 and 41 outward, thereby increasing the width D of theopening 42 slightly and temporarily. By increasing the width D, thegolfer is able to push the marker 10 laterally through the opening 42and into the hold 43. Once the diameter B of the marker 10 is past theopening 42, the ends 40 and 41 resiliently return to their originalposition and apply an inward biasing force on the marker 10 into thehold 43, thereby assisting in forcing the marker 10 into the hold 43. Inthis way, the marker 10 is applied and held in a snap-fit engagement inthe hold 43. The marker 10 is snugly and securely held by the lip 14,against the inner surface 51, which exerts sufficient radially inwardforce on the marker 10 to securely lock it in place in the hold 43. Themarker 10 cannot accidentally fall or slide out.

Though the above sequence of applying the marker 10 to the hold 43 isdescribed in a series of steps, it should be understood that applicationof the marker 10 is achieved smoothly, in a single, quick movementrequiring less than a second.

Once disposed in the hold 43, the marker 10 is securely held. Aperimeter portion of the upper surface 60 of the marker 10 is againstthe edge 50, and the lower surface 61 of the marker 10 is flush againstand in continuous contact with the upper surface 20 of the base 12, asshown in FIG. 2B. The marker 10 is prevented from further movement alongline E by the lip 14, and indeed, is prevented from most lateralmovement by the lip 14. The marker 10 cannot accidentally move throughthe opening 42 because the ends 40 and 41 are separated by the width Dwhich is less than the diameter B of the marker 10. Further, the marker10 does not move vertically; it is limited in downward movement by theupper surface 20 and is limited in upward movement by the edge 50.Again, the edge 50 defines an opening too narrow for the marker 10, evenwhen the lip 14 is resiliently deformed, so that the marker 10 cannotcome loose upwardly. In some embodiments, however, the lip 14 isslightly taller than the height of the marker 10 and allows the marker10 some vertical play in the hold 43 without sacrificing the security ofthe engagement.

When the golfer desires to remove the marker 10 from the hold 43, thegolfer preferably uses his thumb to press out on the marker 10 throughthe opening 42. The golfer exerts a force on the marker 10 in oppositionto the arrowed line E to move the marker 10 out of the opening 42. Themarker 10, having been removed from the hold 43, is now in the freeposition away from the apparatus 11, held between the thumb and fingers.It can be placed on the ground to mark a position of the golf ball.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method of mounting the apparatus 11 on a glove70. The glove 70 has a wrist strap 71 secured to a dorsal side 72 of theglove 70. The wrist strap 71 has a top layer 73, a bottom layer 74, anda hole 75 formed through the top layer 73. The apparatus 11 is carriedbetween the top and bottom layers 73 and 74, with the lip 14 projectingup through the hole 75. The flange 13 thus secures the apparatus 11:stitching is placed through the top and bottom layers at the flange 13to bind the apparatus securely in the wrist strap 71.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another embodiment of a golf ball marker clipapparatus 81 (hereinafter, the “apparatus 81”) for use with the marker10. The apparatus 81 is useful for securely and snappedly retaining themarker 10 in a variety of locations, such as on a glove, a golf club, ahat, a shirt, a pair of pants, and elsewhere.

The apparatus 81 includes a base 82, a flange 83 extending outward fromthe base 82, and a clip 85 including an upstanding lip 84 extendingupward from the base 82. These structural features and elements providethe apparatus 81 with the unique ability to mechanically receive andhold the marker 10 and to be sewn into or otherwise attached to amounting.

The base 82 has a thin, flat profile, and is circular in shape. The base82 includes an upper face 90 and a lower face 91, each shown clearly inFIGS. 5A and 5B. The upper and lower faces 90 and 91 are flat andparallel with respect to each other. The upper and lower faces 90 and 91are spaced apart by a thickness F of the base 82, as indicated in FIG.5A. The base 82 is rigid and constructed of a material or combination ofmaterials having characteristics of rigidity and light weight.

The flange 83 extends radially outward from the base 82. The flange 83is very thin and rigid. The flange 83 has an upper face 92 and a lowerface 93 which are flat and parallel with respect to each other. Theupper and lower faces 92 and 93 are also parallel with respect to eachof the upper and lower faces 90 and 91 of the base 82. The flange 83 isformed integrally and monolithically as a unitary extension of the base82, and it extends from the base 82 proximate to the upper face 90 ofthe base 82. Indeed, the upper face 90 of the base 82 is contiguous withthe upper face 92 of the flange 83, such that there is a smooth andimperceptible transition between the upper faces 90 and 92. As such, theupper face 92 of the flange 83 defines a planar extension of the upperface 90 of the base 82. The base 82 and the flange 83 cooperate todefine an annular shoulder 94 formed therebetween and defining aperimeter edge of the base 82 below the lower face 93 of the flange 83.

The clip 85 includes the lip 84 of the apparatus 81, which is anannular, upstanding structure extending up from the upper face 90 of thebase 82. The lip 84 is formed integrally to the base 82 at its outeredge, where the flange 14 extends outwardly from the base 82. The lip 84is quasi-annular, which in this context means the lip 84 has an arc thatis less than a complete circle but more than a semi-circle. The lip 84has this quasi-annular shape between two opposed ends 100 and 101. Theends 100 and 101 are terminal ends of the lip 84, and bound an opening102 therebetween. The opening 102 is a lateral opening leading to a hold103 bound by the lip 84. The quasi-annular lip 84 is disposed coaxiallyon the base 82, such that the lip 84 and the base 82 have alignedgeometric centers.

The lip 84 has a bottom 104 formed directly, integrally, and resilientlyto the base 82. The lip 84 has a top 105 opposed to the bottom 104. Thelip 84 stands normal to the base 82. The lip 84 has a radially-inwardlyextending edge 110 that overhangs the lip 84. An inner surface 111extends entirely from the bottom 104 to the edge 110. The inner surface111 terminates at the edge 110, and the edge 110 protrudes inwardlybeyond the inner surface 111. Both the edge 110 and the inner surface111 are quasi-annular and bound the hold 103.

The lip 84 is severed along its annular length in preferably threeplaces. Proximate to the ends 100 and 101, the lip 84 is severed,thereby defining opposing fingers 112 and 113, respectively.Intermediate between the fingers 112 and 113, the lip 84 is severedagain to form another finger 114. The fingers 112, 113, and 114 areformed directly to the base 82 but are separated from the lip 84 by athin notch or cut in the lip 84 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and4B. However, in other embodiments, there is no separation between thefingers 112, 113, and 114 and the lip 84; the fingers 112, 113, and 114are formed integrally and continuously to the lip 84. The fingers 112,113, and 114, together with the lip 84 and the enlarged, overhangingedge 110 define the clip 85. The fingers 112, 113, and 114 are normallyaligned with the clip 85 and the lip 84. However, the fingers 112, 113,and 114 are resilient, and free of the lip 84, such that they move intoand out of alignment with the lip 84; they move into alignment when themarker 80 is removed and then move out of alignment, outside the lip 84,when the marker 80 is received in the hold 103.

The fingers 112, 113, and 114 are similar in cross-sectional shape tothe lip 84 but are slightly larger. Thus, the fingers 112, 113, and 114have enlarged heads 115, seen best in FIG. 4B, which are larger than theedge 110: the heads 115 extend radially inwardly slightly further thanthe edge 110 does. In this embodiment of the apparatus 80, the lip 84 ismore rigid than in the apparatus 10, but the fingers 112, 113, and 114are more flexible than the lip 84 in the apparatus 10. This provides theapparatus 80 with a slightly different mechanical engagement of themarker 10: the lip 84 acts as a stop while the fingers 112, 113, and 114create the snap fit.

The hold 103 itself is disc-shaped. It is bound by the inner surface 111of the lip 84, extends between the edge 110 and the upper surface 90 ofthe base 82, and extends in an arc outside the opening 102, asdelineated by an arcuate line identified with the reference character112 in FIG. 4A. The hold 103 corresponds to the marker 10: it isidentical in shape, and very close in size. The hold 103 is just smallerthan the marker 10. The marker 10 has a major dimension G, or a diameterG, and the hold 103 has a diameter H which is just less than thediameter G. While the hold 103 is open on top, the marker 10 cannot beapplied through the top because the edge 110 defines an opening toonarrow for the marker 10. Instead, the marker 10 must be applied throughthe lateral opening 102.

The lateral opening 102 is bound between the ends 100 and 101 of the lip84 and between the edge 110 and the upper face 90 of the base 82. Thelateral opening 102 has a width I between the ends 100 and 101, orbetween the fingers 112 and 113, which is just less than diameter G ofthe marker 10. Because the lip 84 is resiliently formed to the base 82,however, it can resiliently deform outwardly.

The marker 10 can thus be applied through the lateral opening 102 to besnappedly received in the hold 103. To apply the marker 10 to the hold103, the marker 10 is picked up, such as between the thumb andforefinger, and registered with the opening 102, as shown in FIG. 4A. Itis initially held in a free position, free of the apparatus 81. Thelower face 61 of the marker 10 is aligned with the upper face 90 of thebase 82, and the upper face 60 of the marker 10 is aligned with thebottom of the edge 110. The golfer then moves the marker 10 through theopening 102 along the arrowed line J. When the marker 10 encounters theends 100 and 101, the golfer exerts more force to radially deform thefingers 112 and 113 outward, thereby increasing the width I of theopening 102 slightly and temporarily. By increasing the width I, thegolfer is able to push the marker 10 laterally through the opening 102and into the hold 103. Once the diameter G of the marker 10 is past theopening 102, the fingers 112 and 113 resiliently return to theiroriginal position and apply an inward biasing force on the marker 10into the hold 103, thereby assisting in forcing the marker 10 into thehold 103. The finger 113 similarly applies a bias force on the marker 10into the hold 103 and thus in opposition to the fingers 112 and 113. Inthis way, the marker 10 is held in a snap-fit engagement in the hold 103by the fingers 112, 113, and 114 and also by the deformed lip 84.

Though the above sequence of applying the marker 10 to the hold 103 isdescribed in a series of steps, it should be understood that applicationof the marker 10 is achieved smoothly, in a single, quick movementrequiring less than a second.

Once disposed in the hold 103, the marker 10 is securely held. Aperimeter portion of the upper surface 60 of the marker 10 is againstthe edge 110 and the heads 115 of the fingers 112, 113, and 114, and thelower surface 61 of the marker 10 is flush against and in continuouscontact with the upper surface 90 of the base 82, as shown in FIG. 5B.The marker 10 is prevented from further movement along line J by the lip84, and indeed, is prevented from most lateral movement by the lip 84.The marker 10 cannot accidentally move through the opening 102 becausethe ends 100 and 101 are separated by the width I, which is less thanthe diameter G of the marker 10. Further, the marker 10 cannot movevertically; it is limited in downward movement by the upper surface 90and is limited in upward movement by the edge 110 and the heads 115 ofthe fingers 112, 113, and 114. Again, the edge 110 defines an openingtoo narrow for the marker 10, even when the lip 84 is resilientlydeformed, so that the marker 10 cannot come loose upwardly.

When the golfer desires to remove the marker 10 from the hold 103, thegolfer preferably uses his thumb to press out on the marker 10 throughthe opening 102. The golfer exerts a force on the marker 10 inopposition to the arrowed line J to move the marker 10 out of theopening 102. The marker 10, having been removed from the hold 103, isnow in the free position away from the apparatus 81, held between thethumb and fingers, so that it can be placed on the ground to mark aposition of the golf ball.

Another embodiment of a golf ball marker clip apparatus 120(hereinafter, the “apparatus 120”) is shown in FIG. 6. The apparatus 120is identical to the apparatus 11 in all but a few structures. As such,the structures of the apparatus 120 which are identical to those of theapparatus 11 are identified with the same reference characters, markedwith a prime (“′”) symbol to designate and differentiate them from thoseof the apparatus 11. For instance, the apparatus 120 has a base 12′, aflange 13′, and a clip 15′. However, instead of an opening 43 defined inthe clip 15′, the apparatus 120 includes a cover 121 that extends acrossthe top 45′ of the lip 14′. The cover 121 is a thin, flat, planar memberthat extends nearly entirely across the upstanding lip 14′. The cover121 has a straight front edge 122 which defines the front of the cover121. The edge 122 is set back from the edges 40′ and 41′. This setbackprovides the lip 14′ with sufficiently flexibility to accommodate themarker 10 being slid laterally into the hold 43′. The lip 14′ isslightly taller than the lip 14 so that the marker 10 can slide underthe cover 121. When the marker 10 is received in the hold 43′, themarker 10 is snug fit laterally into the lip 14′. There may be somevertical play of the marker 10 between the base 12′ and the cover 121.

A preferred embodiment is fully and clearly described above so as toenable one having skill in the art to understand, make, and use thesame. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may bemade to the described embodiment without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. To the extent that such modifications do not depart fromthe spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Apparatus comprising: a golf ball marker; abase having an upper face configured to receive the golf ball markerthereon; a flange extending radially outward from the base proximate tothe upper face of the base, the flange being a thin, monolithicextension of the base and having an upper face contiguous with and levelto the upper face of the base; a clip formed to the base and configuredto snappedly receive the golf ball marker, wherein the clip is anupstanding lip disposed on the base between the upper face of the baseand the upper face of the flange, and which includes an overhanging edgeextending radially inwardly at a top of the lip; and the clip boundingand defining a hold corresponding to the golf ball marker.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the lip is quasi-annular.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein: the clip is smaller than the golf ball marker; andthe clip is resilient, and resiliently deforms outwardly in response toapplication of the golf ball marker to the hold, exerting an inward biason the golf ball marker in the hold in response.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the clip is a mechanical, non-magnetic clip.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the hold has an opening with a width; andthe golf ball marker has a major dimension greater than the width of theopening.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the clip includes aninner surface; the golf ball marker moves between a free condition inwhich the golf ball marker is free of the base, and an applied conditionin which the golf ball marker is applied to the hold; and in the appliedcondition, the golf ball marker is snappedly received in the hold, isagainst the entire inner surface of the clip, and is in flush contactwith the upper face of the base.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a shoulder between the flange and the base and defining alower perimeter edge of the base.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising fingers formed in the clip configured to resiliently moveinto and out of alignment with the clip.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a lateral opening in the clip to receive the golfball marker laterally therethrough into the clip.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein: the golf ball marker is a disc; and the lateralopening is smaller than a diameter of the golf ball marker. 11.Apparatus comprising: a golf ball marker; a base having an upper faceconfigured to receive the golf ball marker thereon, and a clip formed onthe base defining a hold to snappedly receive the golf ball marker; anopening through the clip into the hold; the clip corresponds to the golfball marker in shape, wherein the clip is an upstanding lip disposed onthe base and includes an overhanging edge extending radially inwardly ata top of the lip; and a flange extending radially outward from the baseproximate to the upper face of the base, the flange being a thin,monolithic extension of the base and having an upper face contiguouswith and level to the upper face of the base at the opening of the hold.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the top of the lip is smaller indimension than the golf ball marker.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the clip resiliently deforms outwardly in response toapplication of the golf ball marker to the hold, exerting an inward biason the golf ball marker in the hold.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11,further comprising fingers formed in the clip configured to resilientlymove into and out of alignment with the clip.
 15. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the opening through the clip is lateral and configured toreceive the golf ball marker laterally therethrough into the clip. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the golf ball marker is a disc; andthe opening is smaller than a diameter of the golf ball marker. 17.Apparatus comprising: a base; a quasi-annular upstanding lip on thebase, the lip bounding and defining a hold; a lateral opening formed inthe lip; a flange extending radially outward from the base, the flangebeing a thin, monolithic extension contiguous with and level to an uppersurface of the base, the upper surface configured to receive the golfball marker thereon; an overhanging edge formed in the upstanding lipwhich extends radially inward at a top of the lip; and a golf ballmarker, the base and the lip configured to snappedly receive the golfball marker in the hold.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the topof the lip is smaller in dimension than the golf ball marker.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the lip resiliently deforms outwardly inresponse to application of the golf ball marker to the hold, exerting aninward bias on the golf ball marker in the hold.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 17, further comprising fingers formed in the clip configured toresiliently move into and out of alignment with the clip.